He says: “Ibn Hajar—the Meccan jurist—remarked: ‘The report has several lines of transmission that raise it to the level of hasan (fair).’ And Allah knows best. Scholars differ over the point toward which a worshipper should direct his gaze. Malik held that the worshipper looks toward the qibla itself. Al-Bukhari devoted to this view a chapter in his Sahih, ‘Raising the Eyes to the Imam in Prayer’ (2/184), citing several hadiths showing that the Companions looked at the Messenger ﷺ during the prayer in various situations. Al-Shafi‘i and the Kufan jurists—and this is the sound position within the Hanafi school—maintain that it is recommended to look at the spot of prostration, for that is more conducive to khushu‘ (humble concentration). This is the correct view in light of the previously-mentioned evidence. Ibn Hajar added a further nuance: ‘One may distinguish between the imam and the follower (*ma’mum*). It is recommended for the imam to look at the place of prostration, and likewise for the follower—except when he needs to keep an eye on his imam. As for one praying alone, he is treated like the imam.’ Thus the hadiths cited by al-Bukhari and those that recommend looking at the place of prostration are harmonised, and the reconciliation is sound. Allah Most High knows best. (1) (NOTE) These two hadiths show that the sunnah is to cast one’s gaze toward the spot of prostration on the ground. Some worshippers close their eyes in prayer, but that is a form of misplaced piety; the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad ﷺ. (1) Reported by Abu Dawud and Ahmad with a sound chain; it is authenticated in Sahih Abi Dawud, no. 1771. The “house” mentioned in the hadith refers to the Ka‘ba, as indicated by the context of its revelation.